countertenor
Americannoun
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an adult male voice or voice part higher than the tenor.
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a singer with such a voice; a high tenor.
noun
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an adult male voice with an alto range
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a singer with such a voice
Etymology
Origin of countertenor
1350–1400; Middle English cownturenur, apparently < Anglo-French; compare Middle French contreteneur, Old Italian contratenore, equivalent to contra- contra- 2 ( def. ) + tenore tenor
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Two sopranos and a countertenor depict a paradisiacal dream world of “fairies in the forest,” accompanied by an improvising violin.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025
Instead, he’s publicly approved the more poisonous voices expressing their displeasure with López’s season, some of whom have a real incel countertenor in their tone.
From Salon • Feb. 21, 2024
Schultz was an aspiring opera singer and a graduate student at Houston’s Rice University when they met David Daniels, a famous countertenor, and Scott Walters, a conductor, through the city’s music circles.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2023
Kahlo’s resistant return is eased when she encounters Leonardo, played by countertenor Key’mon W. Murrah, who practices a lively impersonation of Greta Garbo.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2023
The countertenor Randall Scotting, who plays Adonis, compared “Venere e Adone” to an Emily Dickinson poem.
From New York Times • May 25, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
